Cold and frozen fingertips ruin a winter outing more than anything else, which is where hand warmers might be useful. They’re excellent for daily activities like running, going for a walk, or doing errands, as well as outdoor pursuits like hiking, camping, and skiing.
Continue reading to learn all you need to know about selecting the best hand warmers, including suggestions and shopping tips from outdoor enthusiasts Ashleigh McClary, a BackcountryGearhead product expert, and Ken Bernard, who owns Outlandish, an outdoor clothing and equipment store in Brooklyn, New York.
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Our top picks
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Best overallHotHands Air-Activated Warmers
$6.99$10.99Amazon
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Best rechargeable hand warmerOcoopa Rechargeable Hand Warmer
$16.73$26.99Amazon
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Best catalytic hand warmerZippo 12-Hour Refillable Hand Warmer
$17.35$24.95Amazon
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How I picked the best hand warmers
In accordance with professional guidance, I considered the following when compiling the top hand warmers:
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Types:
According to Bernard, there are several types of hand warmers, each of which I ve included in the list below.
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Air-activated hand warmers
generate heat once they re exposed to air, and are usually single-use and disposable. Bernard says they use iron powder, salt and activated charcoal to create an exothermic reaction inside the hand warmer which means that they react together to release heat for several hours. -
Reusable hand warmers
are usually filled with a sodium acetate gel solution that crystallizes and releases heat at the push of a button. You can boil them to reset them for future use, says Bernard. -
Catalytic hand warmers
are fueled by lighter fluid to produce steady, long-lasting heat, says Bernard. After filling the warmer with fluid and sealing the fuel cap, you apply a flame to the burner, which activates heat without any flames from the warmer itself. They re also refillable, but Bernard warns that they need ventilation (plenty of space and air) to operate safely. -
Electric and USB hand warmers
are rechargeable and powered by a battery, according to Bernard. They provide adjustable heat at the touch of a button, and often have USB ports that allow them to double as phone chargers.
Related
How to find thermal underwear that will keep you warm without making you sweat
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The best hand warmers in 2024
The NBC Select team’s shopping gurus’ personal recommendations and expert selections are included in this list.
Best overall:
HotHands Air-Activated Warmers
HotHands Air-Activated Warmers
- Long-lasting
- Easy to carry, easy to use
- Affordable
- May take a while to fully heat
Bernard describes these Hot Hands hand warmers as perfect for one-time use. It takes 15 to 30 minutes for the warmers to fully heat up when you open the package and expose them to the air, but you’ll notice the warming effects much sooner. They are easily portable because they are small enough to slip into pockets or backpacks, and McCClary adds that because they are so widely accessible, they can be found practically anyplace. These are used on cold weather runs by NBC Select editorial director Lauren Swanson and reporter Zoe Malin, both of whom are passionate runners. Malin purchases them in bulk from Costco. She puts them in her pockets to warm her hands during her warm-up and cool-down walks, or she enjoys holding them in her hands while jogging. She adds that she can keep her hands warm for at least 10 hours because to the warmers’ durability.
Type: air-activated | Up to 18-hour duration
Best rechargeable hand warmer:
Ocoopa Rechargeable Hand Warmer
Ocoopa Rechargeable Hand Warmer
- Reusable
- Can charge other devices
- Adjustable heat settings
- Charging may take 2-3 hours
This rechargeable hand warmer is the favorite of both Bernard and Malin. According to the brand, it is constructed of aircraft-grade aluminum and has three heating temperature settings: low, medium, and high. Malin claims that this hand warmer heats up sufficiently to keep her hands warm while she’s strolling around the city, even on the lowest setting. “I appreciate that they warm up so quickly,” she adds. With its USB-C charging connector and lithium rechargeable battery, you can charge your gadgets while on the road in addition to using the warmer. Lightweight and small enough to fit in your hand, this warmer features a red light indicator that indicates how much heat is being consumed. Additionally, it is available in a variety of hues, such as pink, blue, orange, and more.
Type: USB/rechargeable | Charging time: up to 6 hours
Best catalytic hand warmer:
Zippo 12-Hour Refillable Hand Warmer
Zippo 12-Hour Refillable Hand Warmer
- Long-lasting
- Reusable
- Sleek design
- Fluid not included
According to the manufacturer, this refillable hand warmer provides up to 12 hours of flameless warmth and has a stylish, little design. According to Bernard, they are ideal for serious outdoor adventurers and have long-lasting catalytic warmth. According to the brand, the hand warmer employs lighter fluid that is contained within an inner fill cup to help prevent spills. Lighter fluid, however, is not supplied and needs to be bought separately.
Catalytic in nature; up to 12 hours in length
Editor s pick:
Yaktrax Hand Warmer
Yaktrax Hand Warmer
- Lasts all day
- Easy to use
- Takes a while to heat
The NBC Select page When Ella Morrissey, a passionate skier, needs more warmth on the slopes, she likes to insert these hand warmers inside her gloves. The firm claims that these hand warmers are odorless, disposable, and start to function as soon as they come into contact with air. “They take a little while to heat up, but when I’m on the mountain or doing anything else outside, they last me all day,” she says.
Type: air-activated | Up to 8-hour duration
Best air-activated hand warmers:
Ignik Outdoors Hand Warmers
Ignik Outdoors Hand Warmers
- Reusable
- Sustainable materials
- Long-lasting
- Nothing to note at this time
Ignik Hand Warmers are biodegradable and compostable after use, according to McClary, who says they are her favorite disposable hand warmers. They are excellent for regular outdoor activities like walking, running, dog walking, and more because they are easily activated by exposure to air.Additionally, Ignik notes that these hand warmers may be reused for up to three days by resealing them in their pouch, which allows you to utilize the ten hours of heat.
Air-activated | Up to 10 hours in duration
Best heated gloves:
Seirus Heat Touch Hellfire Mittens
Seirus Heat Touch Hellfire Mittens
- Adjustable heat settings
- Finger slots
- Rechargeable
- Expensive
These electric hand warmers are McClary’s favorites because, according to her, they generate the greatest heat and last the longest of any heated glove or mitten she has ever used. The manufacturer claims that the gloves contain three heat settings, a waterproof zipper pocket, and a rechargeable battery. She also appreciates that they have finger slots inside, which give you the sensation of a real glove instead of a fingerless mitten.
Electric type Time frame: up to twelve hours
Related
How to stay safe when running in cold weather
How to shop for hand warmers
Experts advise considering a few factors when purchasing hand warmers, such as the type of warmer, how long it will be used, and any safety concerns.
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Duration and type
: According to the experts, the type of hand warmer you choose should depend on how long you need warmth and how many times you plan to use them. For example, McClary says that if you re just going on a ski trip for a few days, you may only need a few packs of disposable hand warmers. However, if you re someone with a skiing season pass, she says you may want to upgrade to a rechargeable type, like heated gloves. If you re looking for adjustable, long-lasting heat, Bernard says a USB model would be ideal. -
Safety
: When choosing a hand warmer, it s important to consider the risks of each kind. The most common safety concerns with hand warmers include burns and risk of fire, however both experts say that following each warmers included safety instructions will help you to get the best and safest use out of your hand warmers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Experts say that when used correctly, USB hand warmers are generally safe. However, McClary advises keeping an eye on the hand warmers’ temperature when using them. Bernard advises looking for ones with high-quality battery cells and overheat protection. Additionally, McClary suggests setting your hand warmers to low and then gradually raising the temperature as necessary.
The main risk of utilizing hand warmers, according to McClary, is the possibility of skin burns from the higher temperatures. She goes on to say that because disposable hand warmers are flammable, she advises using them away from open flames and discarding them once they have cooled. Bernard adds that catalytic warmers need to be stored correctly because they use a flammable fluid.
Both McClary and Bernard advise consulting the manufacturer’s instructions for appropriate use practices.
According to Bernard, air-activated, disposable hand warmers often last two to three years. He adds that since expired hand warmers could not heat as well, it is always advisable to check the expiration dates, which are typically stated on the package.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we collaborate with professionals that possess specific expertise and power derived from pertinent education and/or job experience. Additionally, we take precautions to guarantee that all professional counsel and suggestions are given impartially and free from unreported financial conflicts of interest.
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Ken Bernard
is an outdoor enthusiast and expert, and owner ofOutlandish
, an outdoor gear and apparel store in Brooklyn, NY.
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Ashleigh McClary
is an avid outdoor enthusiast andBackcountry
Gearhead expert.
Why trust NBC Select?
As an associate SEO writer for NBC Select, I frequently write on lifestyle and skin care topics, like the top low-maintenance and pet-safe plants. I conducted interviews with four gardening experts for this piece and looked into dozens of available systems that followed their recommendations.
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